JP2020196192A - Printer and control method of printer - Google Patents

Abstract

To perform adjustment of a transmission sensor by avoiding a printing position of a black mark.SOLUTION: A printer 1 comprises: a conveyance mechanism 40 for conveying a continuous sheet 20 in which a plurality of printing media 22 are stuck to a mount 21 with a gap length; a transmission sensor 73 which detects transmittance of the continuous sheet 20; and a control unit which performs adjustment of the transmission sensor 73. The control unit, when the continuous sheet 20 is conveyed in a +Y direction by the conveyance mechanism 40, and the head position of the printing medium 22 is detected by the transmission sensor 73, performs reverse-conveyance control for conveying the continuous sheet 20 in a -Y direction by a reverse-feeding length longer than a gap length by the conveyance mechanism 40, and performs the adjustment of the transmission sensor 73 after the reverse-conveyance control.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a printing device and a method for controlling the printing device.

Conventionally, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, in a printing apparatus that prints on continuous paper on which a plurality of printing media are attached to a mount, a transmissive optical sensor for detecting the position of the print medium on the mount is provided. It has been known. In this type of printing apparatus, it is necessary to adjust the sensitivity of the transmissive optical sensor for each type of continuous paper in order to cope with the deterioration of the transmissive optical sensor and the difference in the transmittance of the printing medium. Further, it is known that a continuous paper is printed with a black mark corresponding to the position of the printing medium on the mount.

JP-A-2018-001487

When continuous paper on which the black mark is printed is used, when the printing position of the black mark is detected by the transmissive optical sensor, the detected value is lower than that when the non-printing position of the black mark is detected. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the sensitivity by using the detected value of the transmissive optical sensor detected while avoiding the printing position of the black mark. In Patent Document 1, the transmissive optical sensor is arranged so that the black mark printing position and the detection position of the transmissive optical sensor do not overlap, but the arrangement of the transmissive optical sensor is restricted by the product specifications. In some cases. Therefore, a means for acquiring a detected value for adjusting the sensitivity of the transmissive optical sensor while avoiding the printing position of the black mark is desired.

The printing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention transmits a transport mechanism for transporting continuous paper having a plurality of printing media attached to a mount with a gap, a first light emitting unit that irradiates the continuous paper with light, and the continuous paper. A first detection unit having a first light receiving unit that receives the light is received, and a control unit that adjusts the first detection unit. The control unit transmits continuous paper in the transfer direction by a transfer mechanism. When the head position of the print medium is detected by the first detection unit, the transport mechanism performs reverse transport control for transporting continuous paper in the direction opposite to the transport direction by a reverse feed length longer than the gap length, and reverse transport control. After, the first detection unit is adjusted.

The control method of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a transport mechanism for transporting continuous paper having a plurality of printing media attached to the mount with a gap, a first light emitting unit that irradiates the continuous paper with light, and continuous use. It is a control method of a printing apparatus including a first light receiving unit for receiving light transmitted through paper and a first detecting unit having the first detecting unit, and adjusts the first detecting unit. The continuous paper is conveyed in a conveying direction by a conveying mechanism. When the head position of the print medium is detected by the first detection unit, the transport mechanism performs reverse transport control to transport continuous paper in the direction opposite to the transport direction by the reverse feed length longer than the gap length. After the reverse transfer control, the first detection unit is adjusted.

It is a perspective view which shows the appearance of a printing apparatus. It is the figure which looked at the continuous paper from the + Z direction. It is the figure which looked at the continuous paper from the -X direction. It is a schematic diagram which shows around the transport path of a printing apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows the arrangement of a transmission sensor and a reflection sensor. It is a block diagram which shows the control structure of a printing apparatus. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the transport position of continuous paper, and the detection value of a transmission sensor. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of calibration by a printing apparatus.

Hereinafter, the printing apparatus according to the embodiment and the control method of the printing apparatus will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 5 show XYZ coordinates. The X direction is the main scanning direction of the print head 53 (see FIG. 4) and the width direction of the continuous paper 20 (see FIG. 2 and the like). Further, the Y direction is the depth direction of the printing apparatus 1 and is the conveying direction of the continuous paper 20. Further, the Z direction is a vertical direction and is a height direction of the printing apparatus 1. The XYZ coordinates do not necessarily have to be orthogonal, and may intersect.

When the printing device 1 is viewed from the front, the left direction of the device is the + X direction, and the right direction of the device is the −X direction. Further, the front of the printing device 1 is in the + Y direction, and the rear of the printing device 1 is in the −Y direction. Further, the upper part of the printing device 1 is in the + Z direction, and the lower part of the device 1 is in the −Z direction.

First, the outline of the printing apparatus 1 will be described. The printing device 1 prints on the printing medium 22 attached to the continuous paper 20 by an inkjet method based on the printing data transmitted from an information processing device such as a PC (Personal Computer). Further, the printing device 1 controls the transfer of the continuous paper 20 based on the detection result of the detection mechanism 70 (see FIG. 4 and the like) including the transmissive optical sensor 73. Hereinafter, the transmission type optical sensor 73 will be referred to as a “transmission sensor”.

Further, the printing device 1 performs calibration for adjusting the sensitivity of the transmission sensor 73 in order to cope with the deterioration of the transmission sensor 73 and the difference in the transmittance of the print medium 22. The transmission sensor 73 is an example of the “first detection unit”. When adjusting the sensitivity of the transmission sensor 73, the print medium 22 is aligned with the detection position of the transmission sensor 73. This is because the transmittance differs depending on the thickness of the print medium 22 and the paper type, so it is necessary to actually irradiate each print medium 22 with light to determine the optimum sensitivity of the transmission sensor 73.

Next, the appearance configuration of the printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing device 1 has a device case 11 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. A display / operation panel 12 on which a display and various buttons are arranged is provided on the front surface of the device case 11. Further, a pull-out type ink cartridge replacement port 13 is provided in the −Z direction of the display / operation panel 12.

Further, a front cover 15 is provided on the front surface of the device case 11 in the −X direction of the display / operation panel 12. The front cover 15 can rotate about the first hinge 15a installed at the end in the + Z direction. When the front cover 15 is opened, the printing mechanism 50 (see FIG. 4 and the like) is exposed. The user can clear the paper jam of the continuous paper 20 by opening the front cover 15.

Further, on the front surface of the device of the device case 11, a discharge port 14 is provided in the −Z direction of the front cover 15. The discharge port 14 is a continuous paper 20 printed by the printing mechanism 50, and the continuous paper 20 cut into strips by the cutting mechanism 60 (see FIG. 4 and the like) is discharged.

Further, the device case 11 is provided with a top cover 16 on the upper surface of the device in substantially half in the −Y direction. The top cover 16 is rotatable around a second hinge 16a installed at its end in the −Y direction. When the top cover 16 is opened, the roll paper accommodating portion 30 (see FIG. 4) is exposed. The user can attach the roll paper 100 (see FIG. 4) by releasing the open / close lock 16b installed in the + Y direction of the top cover 16 and opening the top cover 16. The roll paper 100 is made by winding continuous paper 20 into a roll shape with a paper tube 33 as a core.

Next, the configuration of the continuous paper 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a view of the continuous paper 20 viewed from the + Z direction, and FIG. 3 is a view of the continuous paper 20 viewed from the −X direction. As shown in both figures, the continuous paper 20 has a strip-shaped mount 21 and a plurality of printing media 22. The plurality of print media 22 are attached to the surface of the mount 21, that is, the surface of the mount 21 as viewed from the + Z direction with a certain gap. The print medium 22 is, for example, a label. The length of the gap between adjacent print media 22 in the Y direction is referred to as the gap length L1.

Further, on the back surface of the mount 21, that is, the surface of the mount 21 viewed from the −Z direction, a black mark BM indicating the head position of the print medium 22 in the transport direction of the continuous paper 20, that is, the + Y direction is printed. Therefore, the start position of the print medium 22 in the + Y direction and the start position of the black mark BM coincide with each other.

The print medium 22 can be peeled off from the mount 21. Further, a plurality of types of continuous paper 20 are prepared. For example, as the continuous paper 20, those having different widths, materials, thicknesses, etc. of the mount 21 and the printing medium 22 are prepared. Further, the continuous paper 20 is also prepared in which the gap length L1 and the length of the black mark BM in the Y direction are different. However, the length of the black mark BM in the Y direction is shorter than the length of the print medium 22. Further, the arrangement of the black mark BM in the X direction defines the range to be printed with reference to the edge of the mount 21 in the + X direction.

Next, the internal configuration of the printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the transport path K viewed from the −X direction, and FIG. 5 is a plan view of the transport path K viewed from the + Z direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the printing device 1 includes a roll paper accommodating portion 30, a conveying mechanism 40, a printing mechanism 50, and a cutting mechanism 60.

The roll paper accommodating portion 30 includes a roll paper mounting portion 31. The paper tube 33 of the roll paper 100 is mounted on the roll paper mounting portion 31. The roll paper 100 rotates according to the rotation of the roll paper mounting portion 31, and the continuous paper 20 is fed out with this rotation. In the example shown in FIG. 4, when the continuous paper 20 is unwound, the roll paper 100 rotates counterclockwise.

The transport mechanism 40 includes a transport roller 41 that transports the continuous paper 20 along the transport path K. The transport roller 41 is arranged upstream of the print head 53 in the transport direction of the continuous paper 20. The transfer roller 41 includes a transfer drive roller 41a that is rotationally driven by transmitting power from a drive source (not shown) such as a transfer motor, and a transfer driven roller 41b that is driven to rotate with respect to the transfer drive roller 41a. It has.

The transport roller 41 can transport the continuous paper 20 not only in the forward direction, that is, in the + Y direction, but also in the reverse direction, that is, in the −Y direction. Since the printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment employs a serial printing method, the continuous paper 20 is not conveyed at a constant speed but is conveyed intermittently.

The printing mechanism 50 is arranged downstream from the transport mechanism 40 in the transport direction of the continuous paper 20, and includes a carriage 51, a print head 53, and a platen 55. The print head 53 is a serial type inkjet head mounted on the carriage 51. Further, the platen 55 is arranged at a position facing the print head 53 via the transport path K.

The carriage 51 is supported by a carriage shaft 51a extending in the main scanning direction, that is, the X direction, which intersects the conveying direction of the continuous paper 20. The carriage 51 scans the print head 53 by reciprocating along the carriage shaft 51a in the main scanning direction.

The print head 53 includes a nozzle array corresponding to a plurality of colors such as cyan, yellow, magenta, and black. The print head 53 receives ink from ink cartridges of each color and ejects ink from nozzles provided in each nozzle row. The ink ejected from the nozzles lands on the printing medium 22 of the continuous paper 20, and an image is formed on the printing medium 22.

A plurality of suction holes are formed on the upper surface of the platen 55, and each suction hole is communicated with a suction fan (not shown). As a result, since the continuous paper 20 is conveyed in a state of being sucked onto the upper surface of the platen 55, it is possible to prevent the continuous paper 20 from interfering with the nozzle surface of the print head 53.

The cutting mechanism 60 is arranged downstream from the printing mechanism 50 in the transport direction of the continuous paper 20, and includes an automatic cutter 61 which is a cutter capable of cutting the continuous paper 20. The automatic cutter 61 faces a movable blade 61a (first blade) driven by transmitting power from a drive source (not shown) having a cutter motor or the like, and the movable blade 61a via a transport path K. It is provided with a fixed blade 61b (second blade) arranged at a position. The cutting mechanism 60 cuts the printed portion of the continuous paper 20 to a predetermined length.

With the above configuration, the printing apparatus 1 conveys the continuous paper 20 unwound from the roll paper accommodating portion 30 by the conveying mechanism 40 along the conveying path K. Further, the printing mechanism 50 prints on the continuous paper 20 being conveyed along the conveying path K, and the cutting mechanism 60 cuts the continuous paper 20 to a predetermined length. The strip-shaped continuous paper 20 cut by the cutting mechanism 60 is discharged from the discharge port 14.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the printing apparatus 1 faces the transport path K and includes a detection mechanism 70 including two types of optical sensors. The detection mechanism 70 includes a reflection type optical sensor 71 and a transmission sensor 73. Hereinafter, the reflective optical sensor 71 will be referred to as a “reflection sensor”. The reflection sensor 71 is an example of the “second detection unit”.

The reflection sensor 71 is arranged upstream of the transport roller 41 in the transport direction of the continuous paper 20. Further, the reflection sensor 71 includes a reflection sensor light emitting unit 71a that irradiates light from the −Z direction toward the continuous paper 20 transported along the transport path K, and a reflection sensor light receiving unit 71b that receives the light reflected by the continuous paper 20. And have. The reflection sensor light emitting unit 71a is an example of the “second light emitting unit”, and the reflection sensor light receiving unit 71b is an example of the “second light receiving unit”.

The transmission sensor 73 is arranged downstream of the transport roller 41 in the transport direction of the continuous paper 20. Further, the transmission sensor 73 includes a transmission sensor light emitting unit 73a that irradiates light from the −Z direction toward the continuous paper 20 transported along the transport path K, and a transmission sensor light receiving unit 73b that receives the light transmitted through the continuous paper 20. And have. The transmission sensor light emitting unit 73a is an example of the “first light emitting unit”, and the transmission sensor light receiving unit 73b is an example of the “first light receiving unit”.

The reflection sensor 71 is an optical sensor for detecting the position of the black mark BM. That is, the reflection sensor 71 irradiates the continuous paper 20 transported along the transport path K with light, and detects whether or not the black mark BM exists at the second detection position P2, which is the detection position of the reflection sensor 71. The control unit 110 (see FIG. 6), which will be described later, determines that the black mark BM exists at the second detection position P2 when the detection value of the reflection sensor 71 is lower than the predetermined second threshold value.

On the other hand, the transmission sensor 73 is an optical sensor for detecting the position of the print medium 22. That is, the transmission sensor 73 irradiates the continuous paper 20 conveyed along the transfer path K with light, and detects whether or not the print medium 22 exists at the first detection position P1 which is the detection position of the transmission sensor 73. When the detection value of the transmission sensor 73 is lower than the predetermined first threshold value, the control unit 110, which will be described later, determines that the print medium 22 exists at the first detection position P1.

Of the transmission sensor 73, the transmission sensor light receiving portion 73b is not covered with the continuous paper 20, so that by opening the top cover 16, it is easily affected by the light that has entered the inside of the printing device 1. In consideration of this point, as shown in FIG. 5, the transmission sensor 73 is arranged in a portion that is not exposed when the top cover 16 (see FIG. 1) is open. In FIG. 5, the virtual line L1 shows a region shaded by the device case 11 when the top cover 16 (see FIG. 1) is opened. As described above, since the transmission sensor 73 is arranged at a position where the influence of light is small, it is not affected by the light due to the opening and closing of the device case 11.

On the other hand, the reflection sensor 71 is arranged in a portion exposed when the upper surface cover 16 is opened. However, in the reflection sensor 71, the reflection sensor light emitting unit 71a and the reflection sensor light receiving unit 71b are arranged below the transport path K, that is, in the −Z direction of the transport path K, and are often covered with continuous paper 20. Therefore, even when the top cover 16 is open, it is not affected by light.

In the transport path K, the continuous paper 20 is transported with reference to the end of the transport path K in the + X direction regardless of the paper width. That is, the continuous paper 20 includes a fixed guide (not shown) provided at the end of the transport path K in the + X direction and a movable guide (not shown) that can be moved in the X direction according to the paper width of the continuous paper 20. It is conveyed in the Y direction while being guided by.

Therefore, the first detection position P1, which is the detection position of the transmission sensor 73, is set to a position where the print medium 22 having the minimum paper width applicable to the printing device 1 can be detected. Further, the second detection position P2, which is the detection position of the reflection sensor 71, is set to a position where the black mark BM can be detected. In order to satisfy these conditions, the reflection sensor 71 and the transmission sensor 73 are arranged at substantially the same position in the width direction of the continuous paper 20, that is, in the X direction.

Next, the control configuration of the printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The printing device 1 includes a control unit 110, a transport mechanism 40, a printing mechanism 50, a cutting mechanism 60, and a detection mechanism 70.

The control unit 110 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 112, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 113, a transmission sensor control circuit 114, and a reflection sensor control circuit 115. The CPU 111 controls each part in the printing apparatus 1 by reading a control program such as firmware stored in the ROM 112 and expanding the read control program in the RAM 113.

The control program includes a calibration program for adjusting the sensitivity of the transmission sensor 73. The sensitivity adjustment of the transmission sensor 73 is an example of "adjustment of the first detection unit".

The control unit 110 may use a processor other than the CPU 111. The processor may be a hardware circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Further, in the processor, one or more CPUs and a hardware circuit such as an ASIC may operate in cooperation with each other.

The transmission sensor control circuit 114 includes an amplifier circuit that amplifies the output of the transmission sensor light receiving unit 73b, a digital potentiometer that controls the amplification factor of the amplifier circuit, an AD conversion circuit that AD-converts the output of the amplifier circuit, and the like. In the present embodiment, the CPU 111 adjusts the sensitivity of the transmission sensor 73 by changing the amplification factor of the amplifier circuit with a digital potentiometer.

Similarly, the reflection sensor control circuit 115 includes an amplifier circuit that amplifies the output of the reflection sensor light receiving unit 71b, a digital potentiometer that controls the amplification factor of the amplifier circuit, an AD conversion circuit that AD-converts the output of the amplifier circuit, and the like. In this embodiment, the sensitivity of the reflection sensor 71 is not adjusted.

In addition to the above-mentioned transport roller 41, the transport mechanism 40 includes a transport motor or the like that is a drive source for the transport roller 41. In addition to the carriage 51, the print head 53, and the platen 55, the printing mechanism 50 includes a carriage motor that is a drive source for the carriage 51, a head drive mechanism that drives the print head 53, and the like. In addition to the above-mentioned automatic cutter 61, the cutting mechanism 60 includes a cutter motor and the like that are a drive source for the automatic cutter 61.

As described above, the detection mechanism 70 includes a transmission sensor 73 and a reflection sensor 71. The transmission sensor light emitting unit 73a and the reflection sensor light emitting unit 71a have, for example, a light emitting diode. Further, the transmission sensor light receiving unit 73b and the reflection sensor light receiving unit 71b have, for example, a phototransistor.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, calibration for adjusting the sensitivity of the transmission sensor 73 will be described. When the control unit 110 starts the calibration, the transport mechanism 40 first transports the continuous paper 20 in the + Y direction. When the control unit 110 detects the head position of the print medium 22 by the transmission sensor 73, the transport mechanism 40 increases the continuous paper 20 by the reverse feed length exceeding the gap length L1 (see FIG. 2 and the like) of the print medium 22. Is performed in reverse transfer control. Then, the control unit 110 adjusts the sensitivity of the transmission sensor 73 after the reverse transfer control.

This will be described in more detail with reference to the graph of FIG. In the graph of the figure, the horizontal axis represents the transport position of the continuous paper 20, and the vertical axis represents the detected value of the transmission sensor 73. In the figure, after the transmission sensor 73 starts transporting the continuous paper 20 in the + Y direction, up to the transport position T1, the portion where the print medium 22 and the black mark non-printing position of the mount 21 overlap is detected, and the transport position is detected. From T1 to the transport position T2, the portion of the mount 21 is detected, and at the time of the transport position T2, the portion where the print medium 22 and the black mark printing position of the mount 21 overlap is detected.

In this case, the detection value A1 of the transmission sensor 73 from the transfer position T1 to the transfer position T2 is larger than the detection value A0 of the transmission sensor 73 up to the transfer position T1. This is because since only the mount 21 is irradiated with light from the transport position T1 to the transport position T2, the light transmittance is increased as compared with the case where the light is irradiated to the transport position T1. Further, the detection value A2 of the transmission sensor 73 from the transport position T2 is smaller than the detection value A0 and the detection value A1. This is because the print medium 22, the mount 21, and the black mark BM are irradiated with light from the transport position T2, so that the light transmittance is lower than when the light is irradiated from the start of transport to the transport position T2. is there. The detected value A1 is an example of the "first detected value", and the detected value A2 is an example of the "second detected value".

When the portion where the black mark BM is printed is detected in this way, the light transmittance is remarkably lowered by the black mark BM. Therefore, in order to accurately adjust the sensitivity of the transmission sensor 73, it is necessary to avoid the printing position of the black mark BM in the portion of the print medium 22.

Therefore, it is conceivable that the position of the black mark BM is detected by using the reflection sensor 71, and the detection result is used to avoid the printing position of the black mark BM and perform the detection by the transmission sensor 73. In order to reliably avoid the position of, it is preferable to arrange the reflection sensor 71 and the transmission sensor 73 at the same position in the Y direction. However, as described above, in order to enable detection of the narrow print medium 22, two types of optical sensors, the reflection sensor 71 and the transmission sensor 73, cannot be arranged side by side in the X direction. Further, since the printing position of the black mark BM in the X direction also has a degree of freedom, the first detection position P1 which is the detection position of the transmission sensor 73 cannot be set to a position deviated from the printing position of the black mark BM. ..

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the sensitivity of the transmission sensor 73 is adjusted by using only the transmission sensor 73 without using the reflection sensor 71 and avoiding the printing position of the black mark BM.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of calibration including the sensitivity adjustment of the transmission sensor 73. First, the control unit 110 conveys the continuous paper 20 in the + Y direction (S01) and acquires the detection value of the transmission sensor 73 (S02). The control unit 110 determines whether or not the maximum detected value has been acquired after the start of conveying the continuous paper 20 in the + Y direction (S03). Hereinafter, the maximum detected value among the detected values acquired after the start of conveying the continuous paper 20 in the + Y direction is referred to as a “maximum value”. The maximum value is stored in a predetermined storage area provided in the RAM 113 or the like.

When the control unit 110 determines that the maximum value has been acquired after the start of conveying the continuous paper 20 in the + Y direction (S03: Yes), the control unit 110 updates the maximum value in the predetermined storage area (S04) and returns to S01. .. On the other hand, when the control unit 110 determines that the maximum value has not been acquired after the start of conveying the continuous paper 20 in the + Y direction (S03: No), the maximum value stored in the predetermined storage area in S02. It is determined whether or not a detected value that is 25% or more lower than that is acquired (S05).

When the control unit 110 determines that it has not acquired a detected value that is 25% or more lower than the maximum value (S05: No), it returns to S01. On the other hand, when the control unit 110 determines that the detection value that is 25% or more lower than the maximum value has been acquired (S05: Yes), the control unit 110 considers that the tip position of the print medium 22 has been detected and starts the reverse transfer control. To do. That is, when the control unit 110 determines that the detected value that is 25% or more lower than the maximum value has been acquired (S05: Yes), the control unit 110 conveys the continuous paper 20 in the −Y direction by a certain length (S06). The constant length is an example of "reverse feed length".

Here, the constant length is set to a length slightly longer than the gap length L1, for example, a length obtained by adding a few millimeters to the gap length L1. Since the gap length L1 has a degree of freedom depending on the continuous paper 20, the constant length is set to be slightly longer than the maximum gap length L1 in the plurality of types of continuous paper 20 compatible with the printing device 1. There is. In this way, by transporting the continuous paper 20 in the −Y direction by a certain length exceeding the gap length L1, the vicinity of the rear end of the print medium 22 can be brought to the detection position of the transmission sensor 73. In other words, the detection position of the transmission sensor 73 and the region of the print medium 22 without the black mark BM match.

After performing the reverse transfer control of S07, the control unit 110 acquires the detection value of the transmission sensor 73, and adjusts the sensitivity of the transmission sensor 73 based on the acquired detection value (S07). Specifically, the digital potentiometer in the transmission sensor control circuit 114 is adjusted so that the detection value of the transmission sensor 73 is within a predetermined range.

As described above, the printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is longer than the gap length L1 when the continuous paper 20 is conveyed in the + Y direction and the head position of the printing medium 22 is detected by the transmission sensor 73 in the calibration. The reverse transfer control is performed to transfer the continuous paper 20 in the −Y direction for a certain length, and the transmission sensor 73 is adjusted after the reverse transfer control.

With this configuration, it is possible to avoid the printing portion of the black mark BM of the continuous paper 20 and adjust the sensitivity of the transmission sensor 73 based on the detected value acquired at the rear end portion of the printing medium 22. That is, even when the continuous paper 20 on which the black mark BM is printed is used, the sensitivity of the transmission sensor 73 can be accurately adjusted. Further, the length of the black mark BM of the continuous paper 20 to be used can be given a degree of freedom.

Further, since the detection by the reflection sensor 71 is not required in order to avoid the portion where the black mark BM is printed, the degree of freedom in arranging the reflection sensor 71 can be increased. Further, since the first detection position P1 which is the detection position of the transmission sensor 73 and the printing position of the black mark BM on the mount 21 may overlap in the X direction, the degree of freedom in arranging the transmission sensor 73 is also increased. be able to.

The following modifications can be adopted regardless of the above embodiment.
[Modification 1]
In the above embodiment, in the continuous paper 20, a plurality of printing media 22 are attached to the mount 21 with a certain gap, but the length of the gap between the adjacent printing media 22 is not necessarily constant. It does not have to be. In this case, in the reverse transfer control, the length of reverse transfer may be set to a constant length longer than the maximum value of the gap length of the print medium 22.

[Modification 2]
Further, in the reverse transport control, the length of reverse transport does not necessarily have to be a constant length. For example, the continuous paper 20 may be reverse-conveyed until the transmission sensor 73 acquires a detected value that is lower than a predetermined value by a predetermined value or more. In this case, the transport length from the maximum value to the acquisition of the detected value lowered by a predetermined value or more corresponds to the “reverse feed length”. According to this configuration, the degree of freedom of the gap length L1 can be increased.
In this case, the length of reverse transport may be slightly longer than the transport length until the detection value, which is lower than the maximum value by a predetermined value or more, is acquired. Further, the "predetermined value" may be the same as or different from the threshold value of 25% when the head position of the print medium 22 is detected.

[Modification 3]
In the above embodiment, when the control unit 110 acquires a detection value that is 25% or more lower than the maximum value, it is determined that the head position of the print medium 22 is detected, but the threshold value of 25% is the printing device 1. It can be changed as appropriate according to the product specifications of. Further, when the type of the continuous paper 20 can be set in the printing device 1, the threshold value used for the detection determination of the tip position may be changed according to the set type of the continuous paper 20.

[Modification example 4]
In the above embodiment, the transmission sensor 73 is adjusted by adjusting the output of the transmission sensor light receiving unit 73b, but the transmission sensor 73 is adjusted by adjusting the output of the transmission sensor light emitting unit 73a. May be good. In this case, the output adjustment of the transmission sensor light emitting unit 73a is an example of "adjustment of the first detection unit".

[Modification 5]
Alternatively, in the calibration, instead of adjusting the transmission sensor 73, the control unit 110 may adjust the first threshold value, which is the threshold value for determining that the print medium 22 is being detected. In this case, the adjustment of the first threshold value is an example of "adjustment of the first detection unit".

[Modification 6]
In the above embodiment, the continuous paper 20 unwound from the roll paper 100 is illustrated, but the continuous paper 20 may be a fanfold paper.

[Modification 7]
The method of executing each process of the printing apparatus 1 shown in the above-described embodiment and each modification, the program for executing each process, and the computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded are also within the scope of the invention. included. In addition, changes can be made as appropriate without departing from the gist of the invention.

[Additional Notes]
The printing device and the control method of the printing device will be described below.
The printing device 1 comprises a transport mechanism 40 that conveys continuous paper 20 having a plurality of printing media 22 attached to the mount 21 with a gap, a transmission sensor light emitting unit 73a that irradiates the continuous paper 20 with light, and continuous paper 20. A transmission sensor 73 having a transmission sensor light receiving unit 73b for receiving transmitted light, and a control unit 110 for adjusting the transmission sensor 73 are provided, and the control unit 110 transports the continuous paper 20 by the transfer mechanism 40 in the transfer direction. When the top position of the print medium 22 is detected by the transmission sensor 73, the transport mechanism 40 transports the continuous paper 20 in the direction opposite to the transport direction by the reverse feed length longer than the gap length. After the reverse transfer control, the transmission sensor 73 is adjusted.

The control method of the printing device 1 is continuous with a transport mechanism 40 for transporting continuous paper 20 having a plurality of printing media 22 attached to the mount 21 with a gap, and a transmission sensor light emitting unit 73a for irradiating the continuous paper 20 with light. A control method for a printing device 1 that includes a transmission sensor 73b that receives light transmitted through the paper 20 and a transmission sensor 73 that adjusts the transmission sensor 73, and is a continuous paper 20 by a conveying mechanism 40. When the transmission sensor 73 detects the head position of the print medium 22 in the transport direction, the transport mechanism 40 transports the continuous paper 20 in the direction opposite to the transport direction by the reverse feed length longer than the gap length. The reverse transfer control is performed, and after the reverse transfer control, the transmission sensor 73 is adjusted.

According to this configuration, the printing apparatus 1 conveys the continuous paper 20 in the conveying direction, detects the head position of the printing medium 22 by the transmission sensor 73, and continues the continuous paper 20 by the reverse feed length longer than the gap length. Since the transmission sensor 73 is adjusted in the direction opposite to the transfer direction, the transmission sensor 73 can be adjusted by using the detected value detected while avoiding the head position of the print medium 22. As a result, even when the continuous paper 20 on which the black mark BM is printed is used, the sensitivity of the transmission sensor 73 can be accurately adjusted while avoiding the printing position of the black mark BM.

In the above printing device 1, the control unit 110 starts conveying the continuous paper 20 in the conveying direction, acquires the first detected value by the transmission sensor 73, and then obtains a predetermined value or more from the first detected value. When the lowered second detected value is acquired, it is preferable to perform the reverse transfer control.

According to this configuration, the printing apparatus 1 can accurately detect the head position of the printing medium 22.

In the above printing apparatus 1, the mount 21 has a black mark BM according to the position of the printing medium 22 in the transport direction of the continuous paper 20, and the control unit 110 transports the continuous paper 20 in the transport direction. When the head position of the black mark BM is detected by the transmission sensor 73 after starting the above, it is preferable to perform reverse transfer control.

According to this configuration, the printing device 1 accurately adjusts the transmission sensor 73 according to the head position of the printing medium 22 even when the continuous paper 20 on which the black mark BM is printed on the mount 21 is used. Can be done.

The above-mentioned printing apparatus 1 further includes a reflection sensor 71 having a reflection sensor light emitting unit 71a that irradiates the continuous paper 20 with light and a reflection sensor light receiving unit 71b that receives the light reflected by the continuous paper 20. It is preferable that the 73 and the reflection sensor 71 are provided side by side in the width direction of the continuous paper 20 which intersects the conveying direction of the continuous paper 20.

According to this configuration, even in the printing device 1 in which the transmission sensor 73 and the reflection sensor 71 cannot be arranged side by side in the width direction of the continuous paper 20, the transmission sensor 73 can be accurately adjusted.

In the above printing apparatus 1, it is preferable that the control unit 110 transports the continuous paper 20 in the direction opposite to the transport direction until the transmission sensor 73 acquires the second detection value in the reverse transport control.

According to this configuration, in the reverse transfer control, the continuous paper 20 may be reverse-transported until the second detection value is acquired, so that the length of the gap in the transfer direction of the continuous paper 20 of the print medium 22 has a degree of freedom. You can have it.

1 ... printing device, 14 ... discharge port, 20 ... continuous paper, 21 ... mount, 22 ... printing medium, 30 ... roll paper accommodating part, 31 ... roll paper mounting part, 33 ... paper tube, 40 ... transport mechanism, 41 ... Conveying roller, 41a ... Conveying drive roller, 41b ... Conveying driven roller, 50 ... Printing mechanism, 51 ... Carriage, 51a ... Carriage shaft, 53 ... Printing head, 55 ... Platen, 60 ... Cutting mechanism, 61 ... Automatic cutter, 61a ... Movable blade, 61b ... Fixed blade, 70 ... Detection mechanism, 71 ... Reflection sensor, 71a ... Reflection sensor light emitting part, 71b ... Reflection sensor light receiving part, 73 ... Transmission sensor, 73a ... Transmission sensor light emitting part, 73b ... Transmission sensor light receiving part , 100 ... Roll paper, K ... Transport route

Claims (6)

A transport mechanism that transports continuous paper with multiple print media attached to the mount with a gap,
A first detection unit having a first light emitting unit that irradiates the continuous paper with light and a first light receiving unit that receives the light transmitted through the continuous paper.
A control unit for adjusting the first detection unit is provided.
The control unit
When the continuous paper is transported in the transport direction by the transport mechanism and the head position of the print medium is detected by the first detection unit, the continuous paper is continuously fed by the reverse feed length longer than the gap length by the transport mechanism. A printing device that performs reverse transport control for transporting paper in a direction opposite to the transport direction, and adjusts the first detection unit after the reverse transport control. The control unit
After starting the transport of the continuous paper in the transport direction, the first detection unit acquires the first detection value, and then the second detection value, which is a predetermined value or more lower than the first detection value, is obtained. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when acquired, the reverse transfer control is performed. The mount has a black mark according to the position of the print medium in the transport direction of the continuous paper.
The control unit
The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the first detection unit detects the head position of the black mark after the continuous paper is started to be conveyed in the conveying direction, the reverse conveying control is performed. .. A second detection unit having a second light emitting unit that irradiates the continuous paper with the light and a second light receiving unit that receives the light reflected by the continuous paper is further provided.
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first detection unit and the second detection unit are provided side by side in the transport direction of the continuous paper. The control unit
The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein in the reverse transfer control, the continuous paper is conveyed in the direction opposite to the transfer direction until the first detection unit acquires the second detection value. A transport mechanism that transports continuous paper with multiple print media attached to the mount with a gap,
A first light emitting unit that irradiates the continuous paper with light and a first light receiving unit that receives the light transmitted through the continuous paper are provided.
A method for controlling a printing apparatus that adjusts the first detection unit.
When the continuous paper is transported in the transport direction by the transport mechanism and the head position of the print medium is detected by the first detection unit, the continuous paper is continuously fed by the reverse feed length longer than the gap length by the transport mechanism. A control method for a printing device, in which reverse transport control for transporting paper in a direction opposite to the transport direction is performed, and after the reverse transport control, the first detection unit is adjusted.

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